Biographies
from
The History of Otsego County, New York
1740-1878
D. Hamilton Hurd
Published by Everts & Fariss, Philadelphia
MATHER, Andrew A. - Burlington
Andrew J. MATHER, son of Dan and Susannah Mather was
born in this town and county, Oct. 17, 1812. His father was a
lineal descendant of Richard Mather, of English origin, who came
from Warrington, England, landing at Boston, Aug. 17, 1635, and
settled in Dorchester, Mass. He was a clergyman of marked ability.
He left England from his unwillingness to conform to the rules of
the established church. He founded a Presbyterian church at
Dorchester, Mass, Aug. 23, 1636, and remained pastor of the same
until his death, with occurred April 16, 1669.
From him have descended a numerous race, all of whom have
been noted for their great energy and indomitable perseverance.
Dan, the father of Andrew A. Mather, was born in Lyme, Conn.,
Oct. 1, 1774. He was a tanner and currier by occupation, which
business he followed several years after settling in the town of
Burlington. He married for his second wife, Miss Susannah
ONDERDONK, a resident of Manhasset, Long Island. She was
born Dec. 12, 1775. By this union three sons were born: Andrew
A., Ezra, and Dan. Ezra died at the age of fifty-seven. Mr. Dan
Mather settled in the south part of the town of Burlington, Otsego
Co., N.Y., in the Butternut creek valley, in 1810, on the farm where
he died Sept. 1, 1856, and which is now owned and occupied by
his son, Andrew A. Mather. Mrs. Mather, wife of Dan Mather,
died March 9, 1853. Dan Mather was one of the most respected
citizens of the town; he held various positions of trust and honor,
and by industry and frugality he gained a competency. He was
strictly honest in all his dealings, and lived respected and died
lamented. His son, Andrew A., was reared on the farm, receiving
a good common-school education. He taught school five terms in
winter, commencing at the age of seventeen, and working on the
farm in the summer. At the age of twenty-two he married Teresa D.
CUMMINGS, a daughter of Elias and Lucinda Cummings, of New
Lisbon, Sept. 7, 1834. By this marriage seven children were born,
namely, Adrian O., Andrew E., A. Dan, Elias C., and Kate M., who
are living, and two died in infancy. Adrian O., Andrew E., and A.
Dan live in Albany, N.Y.; are wholesale grocers, known as the firm
of "Mather Brothers." Elias C. is a farmer in Burlington, living
adjoining the old homestead, and Kate M., living now in Albany with
her brothers.
Mrs. Mather, wife of Andrew A. Mather, died Jan. 27, 1860.
Mr. Mather married Miss Addie J. BIRDSALL, of Otego, Jan.
6, 1862. She was born June 5, 1834; her parents were of New
England parentage, and were born in Otsego County. By this
alliance two daughters were born: Clara L. and Jennie A., aged
twelve and fourteen respectively.
Mr. Andrew A. Mather has always been engaged in agricultural
pursuits, and is closely allied with the best interests of his town and
county. He is now living at the same old homestead where he first
saw the light of day. Mr. Mather is the grower of some fine Jersey
stock and Leicester sheep. He is a man that thinks for himself and
acts from his own convictions of right and wrong; always ready to
engage in any reform that has for its aim the amelioration of mankind.
He allied himself with the Washingtonian movement in 1841, and
has ever since that time been identified with all the temperance reforms
of the day. In politics he was a Democrat, and voted the Democratic
ticket down to the time Lewis Cass wrote his Nicholson letter, taking
the ground that congress had no power to keep slavery out of the
territories; and when Cass and Taylor ran for president in 1848, he
voted for VanBuren to beat Cass, and ever since has voted with the
anti-slavery party, voting the Republican ticket. In 1872 he thought
Horace Greeley the best man, and voted for him. After the defeat
of Horace Greeley, not being satisfied which party was the safest to
carry on the government in 1876, he voted the temperance ticket.
He has held various positions of trust and honor in town, and was
elected supervisor in 1846. In 1853 he was elected by the temperance
party to the legislature as a "Maine Law" man, and in the fall of 1860
Mr. Mather was elected sheriff of Otsego County, which office he
held three years, and at the expiration of his term returned to his
farm in the Butternut creek valley, where he now resides.
Andrew E. Mather was mustered in as first lieutenant of K
Company, 121st New York Volunteers, August, 1862. Promoted
to captain January, 1863; to major June, 1863; was appointed
lieutenant-colonel in January, 1864; and transferred to the 20th
United States Colored Infantry, and served until the close of the war.
Was wounded in the shoulder at Salem Heights, May 3, 1863.
Elias C. Mather was mustered in as private of K Company, 121st
New York Volunteers, in August, 1862. Was appointed first lieutenant
and adjunct of the 20th United States Colored Infantry in September,
1864, and served until the close of the war. Was wounded in the
arm at Fredericksburgh May 3, 1863, and at Petersburg June 14, 1864.--
Excerpt from History of Otsego Co., NY, page 107